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Simple English definitions for legal terms
mill
Read a random definition: Legal Writing Institute
A quick definition of mill:
A mill is a machine that grinds things like corn or grain using a wheel that moves in a circle. The place where the grinding happens is also called a mill. Sometimes, courts use the word "grist" to describe the material being ground. A mill can also refer to a unit of money, which is one-tenth of a cent.
A more thorough explanation:
A mill is a machine that grinds corn, grain, or other substances using a wheel and circular motion. The substance that is ground in a mill is sometimes called grist, especially when it is a grain. A mill can also refer to the building in which the grinding is performed, along with the site, dam, or other items connected with the mill.
For example, a farmer might take their grain to a local mill to have it ground into flour. The mill would use a wheel to grind the grain into a fine powder, which could then be used to make bread or other baked goods.
The term "mill" can also refer to the tenth part of a cent. For example, if something costs $1.50, it would be 150 mills.
Courts sometimes use the grinding process of a mill as a metaphor for the judicial process. For instance, suits to collect on promissory notes are grist for the summary-judgment mill because the material facts in such cases are often undisputed. This means that the court can quickly and easily make a decision based on the evidence presented.